Wise vs. Foolish

Storms are a normal part of life. James 1:2 describes it that way when he says, “To consider it all

joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials.” The trials of life are nothing unusual. They

are a normal part of living but the material upon which you lay your foundation will determine

the strength of the structure that is built upon it which will be tested by the storms or trials in life.

Let us look at one of the many examples Jesus gave to communicate the importance of where

and how we choose to lay our foundation. In Matthew 7:24-27 (NLT) He says, “Anyone who

listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that

house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and

doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods

come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

Jesus told us very plainly the outcome of those who decided to follow His instructions and not

compromise, that they will prevail despite the storms of life that they encounter. He likened it to

building a house on a rock that will not collapse because its foundation was based on the

commitment to obey the word of God.

For those who choose to be careless and live a compromising lifestyle, deciding to not follow

through on the word of God - where and how they build. The result was a house built on sand

that is unstable and deceptive. It will never withstand the troubling circumstances that come

against it.  It will fall.

Here is nugget - James says in James 1:22 “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not

merely hearers who delude themselves.” Did you get that last part?